Check off these sunny seaside destinations from your bucket list as you ring in the New Year with an unsurpassed luxury yachting voyage to the Caribbean or Mediterranean. SeaDream's thoughtfully curated itineraries embark in iconic locations and capital cities such as Athens, Dubrovnik, Rome, San Juan, or Bridgetown, Barbados, before whisking you away to yachting playgrounds that only intimate vessels like SeaDream I and SeaDream II can access. While it is hard to select only 10 yachting playgrounds that we believe are bucket-list worthy, here are our top picks for destinations that we trust will create extra special memories for you and yours this year.
Falmouth Bay, Antigua
This horseshoe-shaped bay and natural harbor on the far southern coast of Antigua is a peaceful paradise to behold. The harbor is lined with superyachts, boutiques, and tony restaurants, the historic Nelson’s Dockyard, a former British naval base, and idyllic Pigeon Beach, just a stroll away. The charming town and port of Falmouth sit pretty on the northern shore; the English Harbour is located close to the eastern shore—and both boast a rich maritime heritage, natural anchorages, and modern marina.
St. Barths, French West Indies
St. Barths’ turquoise waters are the perfect playground to enjoy SeaDream’s signature Watersports Marina Platform—equipped with a new water slide and all the watersports equipment required for a proper yachting vacation. There’s plenty of time to explore St. Barths’ incredible beaches, outdoor cafés, and upscale boutiques, only steps away from the pier, accessed by your private tender. May we suggest Colombier Beach, by far the quietest secret spot of St. Barths? Two trails lead to the beach, where turquoise waters, forever white sand, and a densely green island backdrop welcome those seeking respite and relaxation. Many of our itineraries feature overnight stays in this marquee yachting playground, inviting our guests to explore the French-infused island’s flavorful nighttime ambiance.
Cruz Bay, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands
A one-mile hike through the Virgin Islands National Park takes you from the quaint village of Cruz Bay to Honeymoon Beach, where you can bathe in crystal-clear turquoise waters. This little-known beach is tucked along the lush green hillsides of the island, shaded by large sea grape and coconut trees. Perfect for lounging, snorkeling, paddleboarding, or any number of watersports, the beach features panoramic views of the islands of Grass Cay, Mingo Cay, and Lovango Cay. St. John’s vibrant Cruz Bay is home to most of tiny island’s cafes, bars, boutique, and dive centers, including the recently reopened Caneel Bay Beach Club at Honeymoon Beach.
Enjoy the Yachting Lifestyle
From the moment you are welcomed aboard, your crew’s smiling faces make you feel as if you are with friends aboard your own private yacht. Be as relaxed or as active as you like. With SeaDream, it is all about personal choice.
- Experience intimate yachting harbors and celebrated maritime cities
- Linger longer overnight in your destination to enjoy an exciting nighttime element
- Dine al fresco on deck or in the elegant Dining Salon
- Play with the water toys or swim from the yacht’s Marina
- Relax on the spacious Pool Deck or in one of several hot tubs
- Biking or hiking? Join a shoreside activity with the crew
- Luxuriate at the SeaDream Spa
- Enjoy the Top of the Yacht Bar with 360° panoramic views
- Sleep under the stars on a Balinese Dream Bed
- Watch Starlit Movies® on deck
- Visit the bridge with clearance from the Captain
Gordon’s Beach, Long Island, The Bahamas
Breathtakingly beautiful Gordon’s Beach marks the southern end of Long Island, itself boasting the second-largest blue hole in the world, Dean’s Blue Hole, tucked beneath the cliffs of the island’s shoreline. Brilliant coral reefs, family-run restaurants cooking up local conch, and stark white-sand beaches earned Long Island its reputation as a haven for fishing, diving, and yachting. Explore Long Island and experience two of its most impressive natural wonders – Hamilton Caves, dripping with stalactites, and Dean’s Blue Hole.
Rodney Bay, St. Lucia
Tucked away in St. Lucia’s northwest coast, this horseshoe-shaped bay is defined by its endless stretches of white-sand beaches and lagoons. We offer guests an opportunity to hike to nearby Pigeon Island, once frequented by pirates, and explore 18th-century military ruins, including Fort Rodney, which affords panoramic views of the bay. All with sufficient downtime to explore the area’s upmarket restaurants and cocktail bars.
Monte Carlo, Monaco
Glamourous Monte Carlo is the quintessential luxury yachting location. Home to the world-famous belle epoque Place du Casino, the Boulevard des Moulins and St. Charles Church, the Formula 1 Grand Prix, and manicured parks and gardens, Monte Carlo shines at the base of the Maritime Alps along the French Riviera. As Monte Carlo rose to fame in the 1920s as the marquee destination for the rich and famous, Monaco’s yacht harbor, Port Hercules, was completed at the foot of Le Rocher to accommodate vessels moorings in the swank principality.
Portofino, Italy
This lovely fishing village along the Italian Riviera coastline is nestled in a bay once populated by dolphins—its name derives from Latin Portus Deplhini, “the port of the dolphins.” Even today, thanks to the establishment of the town’s marine reserve, the area is rich in sea life and is a coveted spot for divers and snorkelers. Portofino is defined by its pastel-colored houses, chic boutiques, and upscale seafood restaurants that fringe its Piazzetta, a small cobblestone square overlooking the harbor lined with super-yachts. A path leads from the Piazzetta to Castello Brown, a 16th-century fortress and museum with art exhibitions and panoramic views of the town and the Ligurian Sea. On our special Yachting Land Adventure, join your guide for a 10-minute walk to this fortress, venture to the Portofino lighthouse for an aperitif for SeaDream guests in a venue with spectacular views, then continue to the Church of St. George, where the bones of the dragon-slaying saint are buried.
Puerto Banus, Spain
Nicknamed “the Monte Carlo of Spain,” Puerto Banus sits pretty on the Spanish Riviera, in a sheltered harbor where super-yachts drop anchor and your SeaDream yacht drops its signature marina platform and water toys. Once an active fishing port, the marina is defined by its beautiful beaches and upscale beach clubs, luxury boutiques, and upmarket bars and restaurants. From Puerto Banus, venture off the beaten track to Ronda, one of Spain’s oldest cities, located high in the Andalusian mountains, for exclusive wine-tasting experiences.
Positano, Italy
The celebrated writer John Steinbeck once said, “Positano bites deep. It is a dream place that isn’t quite real when you are there and becomes beckoningly real after you have gone.” One of the most charming villages along the UNESCO-awarded Amalfi Coast in Campania, Italy, Positano is perched on the face of a hill and winds down toward the sea. Besides the incredibly romantic atmosphere, the seaside retreat offers excellent shopping, beautiful beaches, and secluded hiking trails. As you stroll through Positano, be sure to sample freshly made local products from artisans and in Positano's markets and local bars.
Milos, Greece
Perhaps providing the most diverse and dramatic coastline of all the Greek islands, sheltered, horseshoe-shaped Milos boasts more than 70 beaches and is heralded as the location where Venus de Milo was discovered. While discovering your favorite sand upon which to relax, don’t overlook Sarakiniko’s volcanic white cliffs and Papafragas’s emerald-green swimming holes and caves—shaped by the island’s unique minerals, including obsidian, barite, and sulphur, which happily bubble up in abundant hot springs. For a day of deeper exploration, be sure to visit Milos’s highlights on our specially curated Yachting Land Adventure.
One Voyage, Many Adventures
At SeaDream, we believe our beautiful world beckons to be explored and experienced. This is why we offer complimentary shoreside activities—including hikes and walking tours, mountain bike rides, and strolls through local farmer’s markets—for guided exploration on our Caribbean and Mediterranean itineraries. For those who want to dive deeper and linger longer, we have developed a wide array of engaging experiences in all our destinations—adventurous, culinary, and cultural—each designed to bring you closer to your destination.
Are you ready to experience the secluded islands and playful yachting harbors of the Caribbean and Mediterranean this year? SeaDream provides you with an intimate view of these destinations unlike any other boutique travel line. Click here to check availability and reserve your next voyage.